Means associated with a spring member for retaining the spring in a compressed position



Jan 28, 1958 2,820,970 OR gETAINING R. SHAPIRO MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH A SPRING MEMBER F THE SPRING IN A COMPRESSED POSITIO 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Filed April 16, 1955 INVENTOR. Ease S'Za ZI'O, W- M Jam 1953 R. SHAPIRO 2,820,970

MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH A SPRING MEMBER FOR RETAINING THE SPRING IN A COMPRESSED POSITION Filed April 16, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

- fiase5iz aara, BY 747W W *FP'W-D "2,820,970 G MEMBER FOR RETAINING Jan. 28, 1958 R. SHAFIRO MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH A SPRIN Tl-IE SPRING IN A COMPRESSED POSI'I'I x 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 16, 1956 Lh k V 7 Nw rnzlllz wxww xw -l llll |llIl||\ 5e a are BY Ab,

Jan. 28, 1958 RCSHAPIRO 2,820,970

MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH A SPRING MEMBER FOR RETAINING THE SPRING IN A COMPRESSED POSITION 4 Sheets-$heet 4 Filed April 16, 1956 INVENTOR. BY Rose 5/50 Z70.

United States PatefitO MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH A SPRING lVIEMBER FOR RETAINING THE SPRING IN A COM- PRESSED POSITION This invention relates to meaii'sassociated witha spring "member for retaining the spring in a compressed position and for releasing the spring for expansion.

One of theobjects of this invention is to provide a new fand improved means associated with a spring which relea'sably retains the spring under compression.

Another object is to provide a spring assembly having self contained means which permits retention of the spring assembly in a compressed state. Said means being releasably secured to permit ready expansion of said spring assembly while within a mattress envelope or the like.

This invention will find application in connection with innerspring mattresses, innerspring cushions and the like,

Jand in other instances wherein spring steel constructions or assemblies (generally classified as innerspring units) are used.

One common present day method in the'manufacture' of innerspring mattresses is to place the springasse'mbly'and padding into a'filler machine which compresses same and it is then forced into a'mattress envelope whichis the 'fabric covering. In some cases buttons are then applied to the opposite layers of the mattress and the buttons" are connected so that the spring assembly is maintained under a degree of tensionl The'foregoing procedure is a typical units. The foregoing method has many objections in that "the resultant mass when stuffed into the envelope is unstable and misshapen and considerable finishing workhas to be done to it to complete it. The springs of the innerspring mattresses thus formed are not under the prdp'er amount of spring tension to give the'maximum results.

'This procedure is slow and adds greatly to the cost'of the product. In addition the filler machine is expensive,

requires excessive floor space and requires two operators.

Another present day method is using a spring assembly 'with the springs expanded and wrapping the spring assembly with padding such as cotton or the like. An envelope is then formed piece by piece and stitched 'over the resultant mass. this method the spring assembly 'is not under a compressed state when the padding is applied. This method is time consuming and expensive and 'the springs of the innerspring mattress thus formed do not have the proper amount of spring tension formaxirnum results.

With my invention'the foregoing obje'ctionable features are eliminated; I provide means on th'efspringassembly which permits the spring'assemblytdbe compressed and retained under compression. This permits the mattress envelope to be separately constructed as a unit with layers nates expensive filler 7 2,820,970 Patented Ja n ZS, 1958 2 When the spring assembly is insertedlin' the envelope with the springs compressed in accordanceiwith 'this invention the springs when allowed to expand are maintained under the desired amount of compression or tension by the mattress envelope which improves the effec- .'tiveness of the mattress, as contrasted to the present present day example of externally compressing innerspring member.

tional inthe The lower portion of th stored in fully expanded position. it also permits fully completed mattress envelopes to be manufactured and stored in non-expanded conditions. It therefore permits the manufacture and storing of the mattress envelopes and spring assemblies separately and the combining'of'sarne when desired.

The foregoing advantages in connection with innerspring mattresses'are equally applicable to innerspring cushions in which'the innerspring assembly is confined and retained within sofaand chair cushions or the like.

Another'object; of this invention therefore is to provide means for compressing and retaining in compressed position innerspring assemblies which may be inserted in mattress envelo cushion envelopes and the like and expanded whe w thin said envelopes.

Other objects will become apparent as this description progresses. l V

In the drawings.

Fig. l is a perspective view of a corner section of the innerspring assembly for a mattress. .This shows my invention applied thereto with the coil spring compressed. Fig. 2 is a view showing the retaining member of this invention prior to being secured to the spring.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of acorner section of the innerspring assembly with my retaining member secured 1 thereto but with the coil spring in expanded position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing an innerspring mattress with the spring in expanded position.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 and showing the spring and mattress compressed. 5 I i Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of retaining Fig. 7 is a view partly in section taken on lines 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectionalview of'the modified form of retaining member similar to Figs. 7 and 8 but showing same secured between adjacent springs in the spring assembly.

This invention is illustrated particularly with an innerspring assembly used in connection-With aninnerspring mattress, however it will be understood that the structure of the invention is equally applicable to innerspring assemblies for sofa cushions and other related units utilizing cept for the addition of the retaining member which forms the subject matter of this invention. The conventional innerspring assembly comprises an upper rectangular frame 10 to which are secured in spaced relation longitudiml and transverse metal straps indicated by the numerals 12 and 14 respectively. These straps throughout the area i of the unit provide equally spaced open spaces 16 within which are positioned coil springs 13. The upper portions of the coil springs 18 are oppositely. anchored to the] frame 10 and transverse metal straps 14 by suitable wire hooks 20 and 22. The springs 18 are also oppositively anchored to the frame 10 and longitudinal straps 12by metal books 24. and 26. Thev foregoing is'coiivepe spring a sent,

bly likewise has a rectangular'shaped frame 30, similar to the top frame and secured to frame 30 in spaced relation in the same manner as to frame 10 are longitudinal and transverse metal straps 32 and 34 which are identical to straps 12 and 14. They are spaced to'provide open spaces 36 similar to spaces 16. The lower portions of the coil springs 18 are oppositely anchored to the frame 30 and longitudinal straps 32 by metal clips 26 and 38. however a retainer member generally indicated at 40 and which forms the subject matter of this inventionalso anchors the lower portionof the spring 18 to the frame 30-and transverse strap 34. However, if desired the lower portion of the springs 18 may also be anchored to the frame 30 and transverse straps 34 by'wire hooks similar to and 22 and the retaining member may be additionally secured for the purpose hereinafter described.

The coil springs 18 which are positioned along the sides and ends adjacent the upper and lower frames 10 and 30 are secured as just described. The springs 18 which are positioned inwardly thereof are positioned in open spaces between the longitudinal and transverse straps and are secured to said straps in a like manner.

This invention consists of providing means which are attached to the innerspring assembly or the like so that the coil springs may be compressed and maintained in compressed position until after insertion in the mattress envelope. To accomplish this purpose'the're is provided a retaining member generally'indicated at 40 which is best shown in Fig. 2 and which is made of wire, steel or the like from a single piece of material and which "is intertwined, as indicated by the numeral 42 attlre center to extend upwardly and provide an eyelet 44 atthe upper end thereof.

Extending from the intertwined portion are the arms or horizontal portions 46. When said retaining member is attached to the lower portions of coil spring 18 as best shown in Fig. 3, each of the arms 46 is bent around the spring as indicated at 48to be anchored to said spring. The ends of the arms 46 are then hooked around and anchored to the frame 30 as indicated at 50 and to the transverse strap 34 as indicated at 52. When thus secured the retaining member extends across the bottom diameter of the coil and the intertwined portion 42 and eyelet 44 extends into the interior of the coil spring. It will be seen that with respect to the coil springs which are adjacent the frame 30 that one of the arms 46 of the retaining member is secured to the lower frame member 30 and the other to one of the transverse straps 34, as shown in Fig. 3, however with respect to the coil springs '18 in the assembly which are intermediate'the springs along the ends and edges, the opposite extending arms of the retaining member will be secured to the two adjacent connected to the lower convolution of the coil spring it will be understood that it may be similarly connected to the upper convolution of the coil spring with the eye 44 facing downwardly or inwardly into the coil spring.

The construction of the retaining member 40 is identical in'each instance and serves the same purpose wherever it is attached.

The retaining member 40 heretofore described may be used by anchoring same to the frame 30 and transverse strap 34, or to twoadjacent transverse straps 34 without additionally anchoring same to the coil spring 18. While it may be advisable in some instances to provide a retaining member 40 in each coil spring as shown in the one coil'spring of Fig. 3 it is not necessary that this be done. The retaining members may be secured to alternate coil springs or may be placed in all of the coil springsalong each side orlength' of the assembly, namely those springs opposite end retaining members the springs intermediate expanded position.

the end springs and in the same line will likewise be retained in compressed condition. Thus it is only necessary to place the retaining members along each side and two retaining members will be sufiicient to maintain the rows of coil springs intermediate the ends.

The spring assembly unit will normally be in its fully expanded position as shown in Fig. 3, however, prior to it being inserted into the mattress envelope it is compressed, that is, the upper framework is -moved downwardly in relation to the lower framework thereby compressing the coil springs. When the springs have been compressed the eyelet portion .44 of the retaining member will extend above the plane of the top of the spring assembly as shown in'Fig. 1, (or below the bottom plane of the spring assembly if the retaining member is secured to the top convolution of the coil spring) and in this position a rod or bar 56 is inserted endwise through said eye portion. If all of the coil springs 18 in the same row have retaining members'as described then the rod 56 will extend through all of the eyelet portions of the retaining members in the entire row or through alternate spaced 'retaining members, however, as previously described if only the opposite end springs are provided with the retaining member then the rodwill extend only through the eyelet portions of'the end retaining members. When the pressure on the spring assembly is released and the provided with a bar 56 similar to that shown. When the spring assembly iscompressed it takes up a fraction of the space of that required when'the springs are in normal In compressed condition spring assemblies may be stored away and in this compressed state are inserted in the mattress envelope.

Fig. 5 shows a mattress formed of a mattress envelope having upper and lower padded sections 58 and 60 with side and end borders 62. The mattress envelope before 'readily'inserted and'is allowed to expand to the desired height as'determinedby' the'mattress envelope side and end walls. Thus by providing a mattress envelope of a lesser height than the full height of the expanded coil I springs the springsare retained under tension or slight compression to provide a better spring action.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a modified form of retaining member. In this instance the retaining member is generally indicated by 'th'e'numeral 70 and comprises a pair of plates 71 and 72. The plate 71 is circular and ispositioned to rest adjacent the outer convolution of the coil spring. The plate71 has fourradially' extending arms 73 which are bent around to clamp with the outermost convolutions of the four adjacent coil springs of the spring assembly so that the plate 71 is anchored thereto. The plate 71 is provided with a central raised portion 74'whic'h forms an eye similar to the eye 44 of the retaining member 40 previously described.

The other plate 72 of the retaining member is substantially like plate 71 and is positioned adjacent the opposite end convolutions of coil spring. It has four radially extendingarms 75 which are secured to the opposite end convolutions of thepreviously described, coil springs in identical fashionto plate 71. Plate 72 has a central slot 76 through which the raised eye 74 extends when the springs are compressed to permit the: insertion of the rod 56 to hold the springs in compressed position. The

retainingmember-70 maybe secured tothe coils of the spring assembly in much the same spaced relationship as that described in connection with retaining member 40.

It is not necessary to secure a retaining member 70 to each coil spring of the spring assembly but a series of same properly spaced throughout the spring assembly will serve with equal facility.

Fig. 8 shows the construction of Figs. 6 and 7 posi tioned and secured between adjacent coil springs of a spring assembly instead of being positioned adjacent the opposite end convolution of a coil spring as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The lower plate 71 is positioned in the open space between adjacent coil springs of the spring assembly and the four radial arms 73 thereof are secured to the four adjacent springs. The upper plate 72 is similarly secured above plate 71 to the four adjacent springs by its radial arms 75. When the spring assembly is compressed the eye 74 of the lower plate enters the slot 76 and is engaged by a removable rod similar to that previously described for the purpose of retaining the spring assembly in compressed position. It will be understood that the retaining means shown in Figs. 1 to inclusive may likewise be secured in the spring assembly in the space between adjacent coil springs and secured to such adjacent coil springs as shown in connection with Fig. 8.

While this invention has been disclosed with respect to innerspring mattresses it will be understood that it is equally applicable to innerspring cushions and other constructions and assemblies wherever it can be advantageously applied.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. ha spring having a retaining member, said retaining member being secured to the lower portion of said spring and having inwardly extending means, said means adapted to extend below the top of said spring when said spring is in expanded position and above the top of said spring when said spring is compressed, and a bar horizontally positioned across the top of said spring and secured to said means for retaining said spring in compressed position, said bar being removable from said means to permit said spring to assume its expanded position.

2. Means for securing a series of coil springs in a compressed 'condition, saidmeans including a retaining member positioned adjacent one end of one or more of said springs, said retaining member having means extending into said spring, said means adapted to extend below the opposite end of said spring when said spring is in expanded position and above said opposite end when said springs are compressed, a rigid member horizontally positioned across said opposite end of said spring and removabily secured to said means when said springs are compressed to retain said springs in compressed condition.

3. Means for securing a series of springs in a compressed condition, said means including a retaining member secured to one or more of said springs, said member having inwardly extending means adapted to extend below the top of said spring when said spring is in expanded position and above the top of said spring when said spring is compressed, a rigid member horizontally positioned across the top of said spring and removably secured to said inwardly extending means when said springs are com pressed to retain said springs in compressed condition.

4. In a spring assembly including a plurality of springs, a retaining member secured to one or more of said springs, said retaining member having inwardly extending anchoring means extending below the top of said springs when said springs are in expanded position and above the top of said springs when said springs are com- ?ressed, a member horizontally positioned across the top of said springs 'and detachably secured to said anchoring means when said springs are compressed for simultaneously maintaining all of said springs in said compressed condition, said member being horizontally retractable from said anchoring means to permit said plurality of springs to simultaneously assume their expanded positions.

5. In a spring assembly comprising a plurality of coil springs secured to a supporting frame, retaining members' positioned adjacent the outer ends of certain of said coil springs, said retaining members having anchoring means extending into said springs below the opposite outer end of the springs when in expanded position, but above the opposite outer ends when said springs are compressed, and a rigid member horizontally positioned across the opposite outer ends of said springs and removably secured to said anchoring means when said springs are compressed to simultaneously retain said springs in compressed condition, said rigid member being horizontally retractable from said anchoring means to permit said plurality of springs to simultaneously assume their expanded positions.

6. In a spring assembly comprising a plurality of rows of coil springs with a plurality of coil springs in each row, means for simultaneously retaining said spring assembly in compressed condition, said means including reraining members secured to at least two coil springs in each row, said retaining members each having means extending into its respective springs, said means extending below the top of its spring when said spring is in normal expanded position and above the top of said spring when said spring is in compressed position, a removable bar horizontally positioned across the top of each row of springs and secured to said means when said springs are compressed to simultaneously maintain all of said springs in said row in compressed position, each said bar being horizontally retractible from said means to permit all of said springs in each row to simultaneously assume their expanded positions.

7. in a spring assembly comprising a plurality of springs and including wire retaining members for certain of said springs, said wire retaining members secured to the lower portion of said assembly and each having an intertwined portion and eyelet extending into its respective spring, said eyelet adapted to extend above the top of its said spring when said spring is compressed, and a removable bar extending across the top of a plurality of springs and secured to said eyelets for simultaneously retaining sa1d plurality of springs in compressed position, said bar being removable to permit said plurality of springs to simultaneously assume their expanded positions.

8 In a spring assembly comprising a plurality of coil springs secured to a supporting member, a wire retaining member secured to certain of said springs or to said spring supporting member, said wire retaining members each having an anchoring member extending into its respective spring but below the top of its said spring when in expanded position, said anchoring members extending above the tops of their said spring when in compressed condition, and a removable rod extending across the top of said plurality of springs and through said anchoring members when said springs are compressed to retain said springs in compressed condition.

9. In a spring having a retaining member, said retaining member comprising a plate positioned adjacent one end of the spring and anchored to adjoining springs, said plate having an eyelet, another plate positioned adjacent the opposite end of the spring and anchored to adjoining springs, said second plate having an opening to receive said eyelet when said spring is compressed, and means extending across the top of the opposite end of the spring and engageable with said eyelet to retain said spring in retracted position.

10. In a spring having a retaining member, said rctaining member comprising a plate positioned adjacent one end of the spring andhaving radially extending ears References. Cited in thefile of this patent anchoring same'to adjoining springs, said plate having an v UNITED STATES PATENTS -'eyelet, another plate positioned adjacent the opposite end 1 i l i.

of the spring and having radially'extending ears anchor- 1,712,014 wllllems May 7, 1929 ing same to adjoining springs, said second plate having ,5 72,703,232 Ross 1, 9 an opening toreceive said eyelet when said spring is comr p pressed, and means extending across the top of the oppo- FOREIGN PATENTS l i site end of the spring and engageable with said eyelet to 40,407 Germany Aug. 17, 1887 retainr'said spring in retracted position, said means being 206,972 Great Britain 1923 disengageable fromisaid eyelet to permit said spring to 10 assume its expanded position. i 

